C-USA Bowl Projections: FIU drops out of the picture, who could join?

FIU's bowl hopes likely came to an end last week, making it unlikely that Conference USA fulfills its seven bowl tie-ins.

FIU (4-5, 2-3) is no longer in the bowl hunt thanks to its 31-17 loss at FAU Saturday. The Panthers should beat Charlotte this week, but there's no way they beat Marshall or Western Kentucky in the final two games.

Middle Tennessee (3-5, 2-2) will likely be 3-6 after facing Marshall Saturday, but it has three very winnable games after that – at FAU, vs. North Texas and at UTSA.

Old Dominion (3-5, 1-3) and UTEP (3-5, 1-3) both have a shot to reach six wins and bowl eligibility with a strong close. ODU appears to be the most capable of the two teams at the moment with UTSA, UTEP and FAU appearing to be winnable games. Both teams need to win this week and the Nov. 14 UTEP-ODU game in Norfolk, Va., could serve as an elimination contest.

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Rice (4-4, 2-2) isn't quite as good as it's been in recent seasons, but the Owls have a good shot at winning three more with UTEP, UTSA and Charlotte still on the slate. They host Southern Miss on Nov. 14, but that game is looking more like a loss for Rice. Colorado State is just 3-5, but it could be a favorite in its four remaining games – Wyoming, UNLV, New Mexico and Fresno State.

This match-up seems fairly likely unless USM (6-3, 4-1) wins the Conference USA West and the New Orleans Bowl decides AGAIN that it wants Louisiana-Lafayette. Arkansas State (5-3) has a big game when it travels to Sun Belt co-leader Appalachian State (7-1) Thursday.

It's becoming more apparent that WKU (7-2, 4-0) can be beaten and Marshall appears to be the team capable of doing it in C-USA play. However, the Hilltoppers and Thundering Herd will play at Bowling Green, giving WKU the edge.

With FIU apparently out of the running for a bowl game, this is likely the place that MTSU (3-5, 2-2) will land if it reaches the six-win mark. Ohio (5-3) is looking like a seven-win team in a tough MAC.

Marshall (8-1, 5-0) will probably be a 10-win team when it goes to Western Kentucky in the regular season finale. Head coach Doc Holliday has done a great job of keeping the program rolling despite the graduation of star quarterback Rakeem Cato. I see Temple landing in Hawaii and Houston going to Miami so this spot opens up for Tommy Tuberville's Cincinnati squad (5-3).

About Keeping Score

Sports writer Patrick Magee covers Southern Miss and East Jackson County high schools for the Sun Herald. His blog hits on topics that range from USM-related news to keeping up with the top prep teams and players in South Mississippi.